Pandemic tension is exploding again in schools — including in San Francisco, where public campuses were down nearly 900 teachers and aides on Thursday. As Chronicle reporter Jill Tucker tells host Demian Bulwa, some of the teachers were sick with COVID-19 while others were agitating for tests, masks and other protections against the surge. Similar fights are being waged in Chicago and other cities, frustrating parents who are worried both about the virus and the growing cost of children missing school. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pandemic tension is exploding again in schools — including in San Francisco, where public campuses were down nearly 900 teachers and aides on Thursday. As Chronicle reporter Jill Tucker tells host Demian Bulwa, some of the teachers were sick with COVID-19 while others were agitating for tests, masks and other protections against the surge. Similar fights are being waged in Chicago and other cities, frustrating parents who are worried both about the virus and the growing cost of children missing school. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices